The art of storytelling, or storytelling, is nothing more than the ability to share stories and events through words, sounds and images. A good storyteller succeeds in capturing the listeners' attention and fulfilling the purpose of the story, which can be to entertain, provide information, convey an important life lesson, or persuade listeners to take some kind of action. The narrative techniques are a mix of expressive skills, the skilful use of animated sounds and gestures, and digital tools. Here are some strategies for teaching the art of storytelling.
Steps
Step 1. Study techniques to learn how to be a good storyteller
Before you teach others the art of storytelling, you need to become an engaging storyteller yourself!
- Take an art of storytelling class. Sign up for a storytelling art workshop at a university or cultural center.
- Practice telling stories. Strengthen your storytelling skills by taking the opportunity, whenever you can, to tell meaningful stories to your colleagues, students, friends, relatives and neighbors.
Step 2. Notice the reactions of others to your stories
Attention, laughter, an emotional response and / or the act of looking you in the eye for a long time are all signs that you have hit the mark. Instead, an attempt by listening to change the subject, a certain stiff restlessness, and, in general, inattention, are all indications of the need to correct the rhythm, tone, details or other elements of your narrative technique.
Step 3. Improve your storytelling skills
If you find that you are losing the listeners' attention, make sure that your story is truly meaningful from their point of view, and that it is clearly structured with a beginning, a middle and an end. Identify why you want to tell the story, and try to figure out if the story will meet the expectations of your audience.
Use props, sound and audiovisuals. If you teach young children, a story about a cat with a strange meow will catch their attention better when accompanied by your own reproduction of the meow itself. If you want to persuade an adult audience to adhere to your opinions, or to purchase a certain product, the use of images and presentation software can enrich the story and help you reach the purpose of your storytelling
Step 4. Find out if you are ready to teach others the art of storytelling
You will be sure to master the art of storytelling only when the children ask you to tell your story all over again, or the adults invite you to spread it. Other indicators that you are now a master in the art of storytelling are prolonged attention from your listeners, and possibly a change in their attitude following listening.
Step 5. Identify the target audience of the participants in your course
Your students may be small children in a school where you already teach. Or the adults you are responsible for in the marketing company where you work as an executive.
Step 6. Assess the specific needs of the group based on age, and plan accordingly
- For the children you need to provide explanations and a clearly structured form. Young children need structured activities, constant guidance, and constant verbal instruction.
- You can distribute a summary, printed matter and material to study for adults. Teens and adults are more independent, and can profit from any materials to re-read at home, such as explanations of narrative techniques and exercises you will do in class.
Step 7. Teach storytelling techniques
Share the knowledge and skills you have acquired along the way to become a good storyteller.
Ask the class to think of an interesting story. Give examples based on the age of the group, and the objectives of the course. A course to learn how to speak in public, with the aim of improving the social life of a group of adults, will face very different stories from a course for salesmen with the aim of selling a certain product
Step 8. Always give feedback to your students
As you listen to the students' stories, observe your own involvement, and that of their classmates. Pay particular attention to the rhythm of the story, the modes of expression, the details, the gestures, the props and the graphics.
- Encourage your students with positive feedback. Public speaking is a problem for everyone, so don't spare compliments on successful tasks, as it will cause them to want to continue to hone their storytelling skills.
- Constructive criticism. Instead of brutally saying that a story is boring, it shifts the student's attention to aspects of the story that can be enlivened with more stimulating details or more compelling vocal inflections.
